Slipper



SLIPPER Filed Feb. 21, 1944 INVEN TOR. //DOHE B. W/TL/N ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1.945

UNITED f STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,383,100` n SLIPPER I Isadorc B.` Witln, Los Angeles,` Calif; i Applcationrebruary 21, 1944se'r'ia1Nc. 523,269 sfclaims. (C1. sis-,9i

This invention has to do with an article of footwear in the nature of a slipper and it is a general object of the invention to provide aslip per that is comfortable, practicalto handle and use, and which lends itself to being conveniently packed and to being readily cleaned.

Slippers are common items of wearing apparel worn bymany persons in the home. It is common and advantageous from many standpoints to make slippers of fabric or felt. However,` such materials ar'e readily soiled and are difficult to clean, particularly when incorporated in slippers. Further, it is desiralble to incorporate in a slipper a means to give it body or a certain degree of rigidity and also to give it some cushioning effect, Such means or `construction in the ordinary slipper make it diflicult to pack and difficult or impractical to clean, particularly by means of the ordinary methods usually employed in cleaning fabrics or felts.

It is a general object of my `present invention to provide aV slipper construction in which the bottom and upper are formed of a flexible materal such as a fabricor felt, and in which there is a detachable insert which forms .a padiand a stiffening element. In carrying out the present invention it is preferred to form the upper and bottom as a unit and of a material which lendsy itself tobeing readily cleaned or washed. Such material may be a fabric that issoft and yet has the necessary characteristics of strength and appearance desirable in a slipper. The insert is I adapted to be removed when it is desired to clean or wash the other parts and it may be removed when it is desired to pack theslippers in alimited space. w

It is a general object of the present invention to provide `a slipper of the general character hereinabovereferred to which involves a simple inexpensive construction whereby the insert is readily detachable from the otherparts of the slipper and yet is fully concealed and is effectively held in position during normal conditions of use.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the` accompanying drawing, in which:`

Fig. 1 is a side view of a slipper embodying the present invention showing `the cover portion of thebody folded back and the insert in a position such as it passes through in the course of being arranged in or removed from the body.

Fig. 2'is a side view of the slipper in its normal y condition; Fig.` 3 is` a plan View of the insert viewed from its lower side and showing it dey tached from the body of the slipper. Fig. 4 is a plan view ofthe slipper shown in Fig, 2. Fig. 5

is a detailed transverse sectional view taken substantially 'as indicated by line 5 5 on Fig. 4 and Fig.` 6 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 6--6 on Fig. 5.: I I

Theslipper constructed in accordance with my invention involves, generally, `a lbody A and an insert B. l The body` involves or includes a bottom I0 andan upper. permanently joined tothe bottom and including a [forward or toe portion I3 .and a heel portion I I The rbody also includes an element that I will term a cover I2 and which is joined with theotherparts of the body and which is in the nature ofv a flap that normally overlies the bottom I0 within the confines of the body and fits over or covers the insert B when it is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 6. The insert B`A is an element completely detachable from the body A and is formed of a material and is so proportioned as to give the slipper shape and Ilo-actas a cushion or pad under the foot, as. the slipper is worn.

.The fbodyA is, in accordance with my invention, made of a soft or flexible materialor combination of materials, *preferably washable materials. The body involving the parts I0, II and I2 is made las `a fixed assemfbly or unit. The several parts maybe formed or built up and may be securedvtogether inv any convenient manner. Inpractice it is advantageous to form the body of materialsfof different specic charactergfor instance, the bottom I0 which bears on the groundcan be advantageously formed of a fabric inthe nature of a chenille, whereas the toe I3 and heel I I may be advantageously formed of a `finer material, such as `a felt or a suitably lwoven cloth. Y In general it may be said that the several partsl of. thewbody are formed of fabric and I will `use the term `fab-ric to include cloth, felt, or 'other material that is soft and flexible and which lends` itself .to incorporation in the construction `of the present invention.

The bottom I0 is the tread or ground engaging element of the slipper and is shaped tofollow the general plan `configuration of the slipper, as shown in Fig. 4. As stated above,v in the preferred construction I use a chenille type fab` ric inthe formation of thebottom Il! and face rthenap of the fabric down. `Such ai fabric is soft,` wear resisting andhas sufficient body to form something of a pad even when the slipper is used without the insert B.

The upper A of the slipper may, in practice, vary widely in design and formation. In the drawing I have shown a conventional type of slipper wherein :the body has a toe portion I3 stitched or otherwise permanently secured to the forward portion of the bottom I and shaped to accommodate the forward portion and toes of the foot. The ytoe portion I3 is shaped andproportioned to present a rearwardly opening pocket X into which the forward portion of the foot is inserted. The rear side edges 20 of the toe portion I3 of the body are inclined or pitched rearwardly and extend to a point adjacent the heel portion II of the body as will be apparent from an examination of Fig.'2 of the drawing.

The heel portion II of the `body has a vertical wall 2| extending a short distance above the periphery of the heel portion of the bottom III.'

The vertical extent ofthe wall 2l is proportioned to properly accommodate the thickness of the heel portion of the insert'as willbe hereinafter described.

In practice the body A may be trimmed or decorated in any suitable manner. In the drawing I have shown a suitable ornamentation 30 applied to the toe portion I3 and Ifhave, shown the edges of the body parts trimmed :with a fringe 3l. It will be understood, of course, that any suitable Icolor scheme can be carried out and that the various parts of the construction may be alike in color or may be of contrasting colors to suit the individual taste. In practice all of the parts 'of the body, that is, the toe portion I3, the heel portion'll, the bottomA I0 and the cover I2 are preferably made of washable fabric having fixed colors so that the body can be laundered or washed by any ordinary laundry method.

The cover element I2 of the body corresponds, generally, in plan configuration to the bottom III except that it is somewhat smaller in size so that its rear or heel portion 40 fits within the sides 2I of the heel portion II of the body7 while `itsforward or sole portion 4I fits within the toe portion I3 of the body and in the absence of the insert B will bear upon the top side A2 of the bottom I0. t

In accordance with my invention the heel por tion 4U is stitched or otherwise secured to the upper edge portion of the upstanding wall 2| of the heel portion II of the body. Through this connection the cover I2 is attached to and made an integral part of the body so that the several parts of the body form a single unit. f

The forward or sole portion 4I of the cover is in the nature of a tongue or nap that normally projects forward from the heel vportion I I but can be withdrawn from the toe portion I 3 of the body and folded back in the manner shown in Fig. v1. I't will be apparent that with the construction thus far described the heel end part of the bottom I0, the heel portion yII of the lbody A, and the heel portion of the cover I2, being secured together, form a pocket which opens or faces forward or toward the front of the slipper.

In accordance with my invention the insert B is formed entirely separate from the other parts of the slipper and in plan configuration conforms generally to the cover I2. The insert B is shaped land proportioned so that its rear or heel portion 5U ts into and occupies the pocket above described, while its forward or sole portion 5I fits into and occupies the top of the bottom IU within the toe part I3 of the body. It is preferred in practice to proportion the insert B so that it fits rather snugly in the body and yet is free enough to allow it to be readily inserted in and withdrawn from the body.

The insert B may in practice vary widely in form and character although it is preferred in most cases to employ an insert formed of a heavy felt or felt-like material thickenough and soft enoughto form an effective pad and yet stiff or rigid enough to maintain its shape and to effectively hold the body of the slipper in shape when it is within the body, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing. The insert may, if desired, be thickened at the heel. In practice I may apply a suitable sizing to the bottom surface 6I] of the insert in o-rder to prevent it from spreading out of shape and to give it. the necessary characteristics. It will be understood, of course, that a reinforcing fabric or other element may be applied to the insert if desired, either to give it the desired surface 01 to give it the desired body or rigidity.

In using the slipper of the present invention the sole portion 4I of the vcover I2 is folded out or back, as shown in Fig. 1, opening the pocket at therear of the body so that the heel portion 5I! of the insert can be inserted into it. The insert B is then flexed or folded somewhat as shown in Fig. 1, so that the sole portion 5I thereof can be entered into the toe portion I3I of the body. When the insert is entered into the body as above described, it attens out and covers the bottom I0. The cover' I2 is then arranged over the insert by folding the sole portion 4I inward from the position shown in Fig.

1, so that it enters the toe portion I3 of the body and covers the insert B. Ihe slipper is then -ready for use, the insert being completely concealed and serving to give the slipper shape and to establish an eifectivevpad therein.

, When-it is desired to-Wash the body A of the slipper the cover I2 can be folded back and the insert B readily removed. The several parts of the body being formed of fa'bric which is wash-v able allows the body to be washed with soap and water or it can be cleaned by any suitable cleaning` or washing method. If the slipper is to be used while traveling, or under like conditions, the insert may not be necessary. If the slipper is without the insert B it can be `packed in a very small space in that it is completely flexible and can be rolled or folded or otherwise manipulated into a space that Would not accommodate any ordinary slipper construction. It will also be recognized that insert B can be packed in a very limited space in that it is flat and of a convenient shape so that the entire construction can be packed most advantageously whenthe parts are separated.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not Wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to myself any variations o-r modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art 0r fall Within the Scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A slipper including, a body. of fabric to receive a foot and including a bottom and an upper permanently secured together anda flap secured only at the heel portion of the body to overlie the bottom to completely cover it, and an insert to be arranged in the'body under the flap and over the bottom, the insert being deand and an insert to be arranged in the body `under the flap and over the bottom and completely detachable `from the body, the insert being a sheet of material sufliciently rigid to maintain `a predetermined form and soft enough to form a pad in the slipper. i

3. A slipper including, a body of` washable material including a sole shaped bottomthickened at the heel portion, an upper permanently secured to the bottom, and a flap permanently joined to the bottom at theiheel portion thereof to normally completely overly the bottom, and an insert to be arranged in the body under the nap to cover the bottom Within the upper and.` detachable from the body, the insert being a` sheet of material sufficiently rigid to maintain a predetermined form and soft enough to form a pad in the slipper.

4. A slipper including, Va 'body of fabric yincluding a sole shaped bottom, an upper permanently secured to the forward end portion of the bottom to form a rearwardly facing pocket, and a cover for the bottom secured thereto` only at the heel portion to form a. forwardly facing pocket, the free forward end portion of the cover being adapted to normally extend within the body, and an insertdetachable from the body and adapted to be inserted between the bottom and the cover with its end `portions in the said pockets.

5. VA slipper including, a unitary body cf fabric including a bottom, an upper and a cover forming a ap overlying the bottom Within the upper,

opening pocket atthe heel portion of the slipper, anda `detachable insert adapted to be inserted in the body betweenthe bottom and cover, the insert having a heel portion held in the pocket.

6. A slipper including, a unitary body of fabric including a bottom, an upper and a cover forming a flap overlying the bottom within the upper, the said parts ofthe body forming a `forwardly opening pocket at the heel portion of the slipper, the cover forward of the pocket being free to be inserted in or withdrawn from the forward part of the body, and a detachable insert adapted to y 7. A slipper including a fabric body havingy i a sole shaped bottom, an upper joined to the bottom'and having a toe portion and a heel portion, and a nap like cover attached only to the heel portion of the upper and having a free flexible portion extending freely forward therefrom to enter the toe portion of the upper so the cover completely coversrthe bottom, and an insert detachable from the body and adapted to be arranged between the bottom and cover so its forward end is retained by the'forward portion of the upper which also retains the free portion of the cover while is rear portion is retained by the cover.

8. A slipper including a fabric body having a bottom, an upper with atoe portion and a heel portion, and a cover attached to the heel portion of the upper and extending freely forward therefrom to enter .the toe portion of the upper, and an insert detachable from the body and adapted to be arranged between the bottom and cover, thel heel portion of the upper, the

i heel `portion of the bottom and the portion of the cover that is attached to the heel portion of the upper forming `a forwardly opening pocket to receive' and retain aportion of the insert.

the said parts of the body forming a forwardlyl ISADORE B. WITLIN. 

